MELAKA: The cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional in the Melaka election has demonstrated a good level of compatibility in uniting the support of two coalitions that were once bitter rivals for more than five decades.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he hoped the cooperation would go beyond bringing the two coalitions together ideologically and translate into stronger voter support in the state election.
He said the partnership had previously been tested in Negri Sembilan and was now continuing in Melaka.
“I think this is a good level of compatibility, and I hope it goes beyond merely uniting the minds and support of the two coalitions, which were rivals for more than five decades.
“We have tried this in Negri Sembilan, and this is the second time in Melaka. We hope, God willing, that we can translate this cooperation into strong support,” he told reporters after the Melaka 2026 Village Development and Security Committee Engagement Session here today.
Zahid also expressed hope that support for the coalition among Chinese voters would increase.
He said businesspeople, including corporate figures, were currently facing difficulties in running their businesses, an issue that needed attention.
“If they place their trust in us, we will do our best to make it easier for them to conduct business and manage their daily affairs when they once again place their confidence in Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh to lead Melaka,” he said.
Yesterday, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said cooperation between the BN and PN election machinery in the Melaka election was better than during the previous Negri Sembilan election.
He said both coalitions were helping each other’s candidates in the constituencies they were contesting.
The coordination also involved setting specific voter targets to ensure supporters of both coalitions turned out to vote on polling day on Nov 14, he added.